Winding machine



u 1947. 5.4. ABBOTT ET Ag. wmnme MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 faf I I [If Ward Jjait' L Barri Jaw/anger Aug. 26, 1947. a. ABBOTTYQET m.

WINDING MACHINE Fil'ed Oct. 2 8, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 1947. l E.J.AQOTT ML 2,426,167

WINDING MACHINE Filed oct. 2a, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 5 1947- E. J. ABBOTT ET AL WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ward Jflefii Wkrap I Perry ug 26, 1941 E. J. A535" H A; 2,426,167

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct; 28, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 L 2730,6080?! wardelfleifi m pl'fla y 1947- E. J. ABBOTT ET AL WINDING MACHINE Filed ot. 28, 1944 i a Sheets-Sheet e Aug. 26, 1947.

|-:. J. ABBOTT 51' AL. vmmme HACHINE Filed 001i. 28,1944

8 Shuts-Sheet 7 Wald:

Wmpl.fiery I .Aug. 26, 1947. E. J. ABBOTT ETAL WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 144

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Aug. 26, 1947 Edward J. Abbott and Winthrop L. Perry, Wilton, N. H., assignors to Abbott Machine Company, Wilton, N. H., a corporation of New Hampshire Application October 28, 1944, Serial No. 560,736

65 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic winding machines, and more especially to mechanism for automatically changing the winding bobbin and starting winding on a fresh bobbin.

The invention has various features that are of special utility in the automatic winding of filling wound bobbins, that is, bobbins on which the thread is laid in nested conical layers. Among the'objects of the invention are to simplify the handling of the filling wound bobbin as it leaves the winding position, to provide improved mecha nism for associating the thread to be wound with the fresh bobbin and to provide a more positive control of the thread during the association of the thread with the fresh bobbin.

Preferred forms of the invention utilize a winding unit, tending mechanism to tend a. plurality of winding units in succession, and this preferred construction is illustrated and described herein, although it will be apparent that many features of the invention can be utilized in machines in which tending mechanism attends to the changing of bobbins on only a single winding unit, or attends to the changing of bobbins on a plurality of winding units simultaneously.

Other objects of invention and features of ad vantage will be apparent from this specification and its drawings wherein the invention is explained by way of example.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing one side of the frame and track of a traveling unit winding machine, looking in the direction from which winding units approach the observer, showing mechanism for supplying fresh bobbins to the winding units in succession and mechanism for associating the thread with a fresh bobbin, and one winding unit approaching the mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of mechanism for associating the thread with a fresh bobbin, showing this mechanism cooperating with a winding unit, in two positions of the winding unit;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism of Fig. 2, showing a part of the winding unit in front elevation in its full line position of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the clamping and cutting bill of Figs. 2 and 3 in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of this bill in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the open bill of Fig. 3, taken on the line s -s of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the blades of the closed bill of Fig. 3 taken on the line S -3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the mechanism 2 of Fig; 2, showing a part of the winding unit in front elevation in its broken line position of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the thread guide assembly of a winding unit and fragments of associated parts of the winding unit;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation, with certain parts in vertical section, of the mechanism of Fig. 5;

Fig. TI is a left elevation of the thread guide assembly; t

Fig. 7 is a right elevation of the thread guide assembly;

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 1 of a modified form of machine;

Fig. 9 is a, planview of mechanism for associating the thread. with afresh bobbin, in the machine of Fig. 8, and one of the winding units and a fragment of another of the winding units of the machine;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing a detail of part of the bill operating mechanism of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a right elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the clamping and cutting bill of Figs. 9, 10 and 11 in 4 the open position;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of this bill in closed position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the blades of the closed bill of Fig.

10 taken on the line Hl--lll of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view in the nature of a front elevation, partly in vertical section, showing the winding unit and the thread cutting and clamping bill of Fig. 9, and showing in broken lines subsequent positions of the thread guide and bobbin center of the winding unit and the thread cutting and clamping bill.

In .both of the forms illustrated in the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a traveling multiple unit filling bob-bin winding machine having many of the features shown in Reissue Patent No. 22,492, of Edward J. Abbott,

in application Serial No. 386,136, of Edward J.

Abbott and Winthrop L. Perry, filed March 31, 1941, Patent No. 2,377,367, and in application Serial No. 526,016 of Edward J. Abbott, Winthrop L. Perry, and Joseph E. Ring, filed March 11, 1944, now Patent No. 2,395,028.

The several windingunits indicated generally by the reference character I are conveyed around a track comprised of upper and lower rails 2, 3

, (shown in cross-section in Fig. 1) by a suitable driven chain 4 through a closed path having straight and semi-circular portions in the neral manner described in the above Reissue patent and applications.

In each winding unit the thread from' a supply package 6 passes up through a suitable tension device I, under the pivoted wire bail 8 of a thread detector, to a thread guide assembly indicated generally by the reference character 9 and shown in detail in Figs. to 7 inclusive.

From the thread guide assembly 9 the thread passes downwardly onto the rotating bobbin. The bobbin is held at its base end by a hollow driven center 30, and at its tip end by a hollow rotatable outer center 3| which is spring-pressed inwardly to grasp the bobbin but which can be retracted by a pivoted lever '34 to discharge the bobbin. A stationary abutment 36 (Fig. 2) is located at the place where bobbins are changed, to hold the lever 34 inwardly and thus hold the outer center 3| retracted while the full bobbin is being discharged and until the unit comes into position to grasp a fresh bobbin from the bobbinsupplying mechanism hereinafter described.

Each winding unit receives electric current from stationary rails 40, 4| by suitable brushes which are pressed down onto the rails at the place where winding starts, and are lifted up off the rails when the thread breaks or exhausts, or the winding bobbin is full, or the unit is about to reach the bobbin-changing position, controlling mechanism similar to that described in said application Serial No. 386,136 being employed for this purpose. I

The brushes on each winding unit are connected to an electric motor 60 which is directly coupled to drive the inner hollow bobbin-holding center 30 and also coupled through suitable gearing to drive a traverse cam which in turn reciprocates the traverse rod 20, as described in said application Serial No. 386,136. The stroke of reciprocation of the traverse rod 'is relatively short, compared to the length of the bobbin, and the thread guide assembly 9, on the traverse rod, is progressively advanced along the traverse rod away from the base and toward the tip of the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in overlapped conical layers.

The thread guide assembly 9, shown in detail in Figs. 5 to 7, includes an upper plate GI and a lower plate 62 connected by vertical end pieces 63, 84 of fiber-composition material which frictionally engage the reciprocating traverse rod 20. The thread guide assembly also includes a tubular element 65 of fiber-composition material also frictionally engaging the traverse rod between the two end pieces 63, 64. The engagement of the thread guide assembly with the traverse rod thus is such that the thread guide assembly can reciprocate with the short stroke of the traverse rod but, also, through suitable means, can be held stationary during the end portion of the rearward stroke of the traverse rod, with the result of causing the thread guide assembly to progress along the traverse rod, and can be shifted rearwardly along the traverse rod in preparation for beginning the winding of a fresh bobbin,

Thread T runs from the pivoted thread dey tector 8 (Fig. 1) up through an outer eye 61 in the upper plate 6|, thence over the plate 6| to an innereye 68 and thence down through eye 68 to the winding bobbin.

The upper plate SI of the thread guide assembly is provided with a downturned portion 6| (Fig. 6) carrying a pin 10 which is slidingly received in a recess H in a horizontal bar 72 which constitutes a part of the frame of the winding unit, thus opposing the tendency of the thread to turn the thread guide assembly in a. clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6. v

The lower plate 62 of the thread guide assembly is provided with downturned portions 62,

62 which are slotted to receive a slidable feeler member "'5. The feeler member is bent at its right end (Fig. 5) to provide an inclined portion '|5 adapted to be engaged by the last-laid conical layer of thread on the bobbin, to push the feeler member toward the left, the feeler member being yieldingly urged in the opposite direction toward the winding bobbin by means of a coil spring 16 which is compressed between a portion of the feeler member and the downturned portion 62 (Fig. 6).

The left end of the feeler member 15 is cut off on an angle in the form of a ratchet tooth 15 as shown in Fig. 5, and a stationary ratchet bar 18 carried by the bar 12 is adapted to be engaged by the tooth 15 when the feeler member is pushed to the left an amount corresponding to the predetermined desired diameter of the wound bobbin. Engagement of the tooth 15 with the stationary ratchet bar 18, as the traverse rod moves rearwardly, detains the thread guide assembly, allowing the traverse rod to slide rearwardly with respect to the thread guide assembly and thus advancing the thread guide assembly progressively step by step along the traverse rod in accordance with the growth of the wound thread on the bobbin.

The thread guide assembly is provided with an upstanding pin carrying a roller 8| at its upper end, this roller being engageable by various devices as hereinafter described, to slide the thread guide assembly in either direction along the traverse rod after the completion of winding of the conical layers of thread on the bobbin.

Each winding unit includes winding-stopping mechanism adapted to operate under various circumstances, among which is that of the thread guide assembly reaching a predetermined outer position corresponding to the outermost conical layer of the wound bobbin. This winding-stopping mechanism, described more fully in connection with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11, includes a rotatable rod carrying an upstanding finger 86, normally in the position shown in Fig. 6. A horizontal extension 62 of the downturned portion 62 of the thread guide assembly is provided with an inclined edge 62 adapted to strike the finger 86 and tilt it and the rod 85 in a counterclockwise direction to actuate the winding-stopping mechanism.

Following the completion of -a filling wound bobbin in a winding unit and discharge of the wound bobbin from between the centers 30, 3| and following the positioning of the thread from the thread guide in position to be engaged by the fresh bobbin, as hereinafter described, the winding unit, with its center 3| retracted, reaches a bobbin-supplying apparatus such as described in said application Serial No. 386,136, where the center 3| is allowed to close upon a fresh bobbin, and force it into the hollow center 30. As indicated in Fig. 1, the bobbin-supplying apparatus includes a hopper 90 from which empty bobbins are fed onto an inclined track consisting of spaced rails 9|, of which one is shown in Fig.1. The bobbins hang by their enlarged base portions from the rails 9|, and are released one, at

a time by means of pivoted stops 93, 94 which are actuated by means of a shaft 95, crank 96;.

. bobbin is still thus detained. Finally,

horizontal tubes I32 and I02 suspended by its enlarged base portion sim- .from these fingers.

The several forms of machines described in the above Reissue patent and applications discharge the fully wound bobbin and d'etain it below the winding position for the purpose, among others, of permitting'the thread from the threadguide to be pushed over to the hollow center corresponding to the center 30 of this application, so that it can be engaged between the hollow center and the fresh bobbin while the old fully wound in said Reissue patent and applications, after the fresh bobbin is in position and the thread thus engaged therewith, the thread is severed between the fresh bobbin and the old bobbin, and the old bobbin discharged from the winding unit.

In the two illustrated forms of the present invention, the detention of the completed bobbins, during the taking on of a fresh bobbin, is rendered unnecessary, the thread being clamped and cut, preferably at the same time, at a place between the thread guide and completed bobbin. The completed bobbin is then discharged from its winding position, and the clamped thread extending to the thread guide is positioned across the center which receives the base of the fresh bobbin. Two form of apparatus for thus associating the thread with the fresh bobbin in the automatic winding of filling wound bobbins are herein shown and described.

In the form of apparatus of Figs. 1 to 4, inelusive, a stationary cam I20 (Fig. 2) located above the path of travel of the winding units is adapted to engage the upstanding roller 8| on each thread guide assembly to slide the thread guide assembly along its traverse rod. and position it axially of the wound bobbin at the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 It will be understood that the thread guide assembly will normally have tripped its stop mechanism, hereindown. the rails 9|, BI, and

above described, as a consequence of the bobbin 1 being fully wound, with the result of deenergizing the motor 60 and stopping rotation of the bobbin and reciprocation of the thread guide assembly. The thread guide assembly will stop with its eye 68 somewhere within tl'fe zonedefined by the length of the last conical layer of thread on the bobbin, and in the event that the winding is stopped by the bobbin being fully wound, such last conical layer will extend to within a short distance from the tip of the bobbin, as shown in Fig. 2. If stoppage of winding is brought about by actuation of the thread detector 8 by breakage or exhaustion of the thread supply, then the last conical layer will be nearer to the base of the bobbin and the thread guide will accordingly stop in the zone of such last conical layer. Wherever stopped, the thread guide eye is first brought to a predetermined position axially of the wound bobbin (such as shown in full lines in Fig. 2) by means of the stationary cam I20.

Two plungers I30 and I3I,slidably mounted in I33 at approximately to the axes of the bobbins, are adapted to act on each traveling winding unit when it reaches the full line position of Fig. 2. Plunger I30 engages the upstanding roller 8| on the thread guide assembly, pushing the thread guide assembly along the traverse rod parallel to the plunger I3| axis of the bobbin to a position wherein the inner eye 68 of the thread guide assembly is adjacent to the outer edge of the hollow center 30, preferably directly. above the outer edge of this hollow center, as shown in the broken line position of Fig. 2. During the first part of this movement of the thread guide assembly, and just before the feeler member I5 can be forced into contact with the ratchet bar 18 by encountering the fulldiameter portion of the wound bobbin, the winding unit reaches the stationary abutment 36 which forces the lever 34 inwardly, retracting the outer bobbin-holding center 3|. Thus, the bobbin is displaced from its winding position, leaving the thread guide assembly free to be pushed to the rear without the feeler being forced into locked engagement with the ratchet bar IS. The bobbin, discharged from the centers 30, 3| falls into a stationary chute 31 (Fig. l) and slides down this chute and to the left and out of the machine into any suitable receptacle.

Means is provided for clamping the thread at a point between the thread guide and the wound bobbin while the latter is still held by the centers 30, 3|, and means is provided for cutting the thread leading to the wound bobbin, and in the I The bill, indicated by the reference character I50, i mounted on the plunger I3I (Fig. 2) and is shown in more detail in Figs. 3 to 3 The bill has at its outer end a fixed blade I5I leaving a, clamping edge I52, has pivotally secured thereto at I53 a pivoted blade I54 having a cutting edge I55, and has fixedly secured thereto a spring blade I51 having a cutting edge I58. An extension I56 of the pivoted blade I54 is adapted to open and close this pivoted blade.

Movement of the thread guide assembly to the full line position of Fig. 2 brings the thread which extends from the threadguide eye 68 to the bobbin into position to be received by the open blades of the bill. A collar I60 on. the plunger I3I carries an upstanding arm I6I (Figs. 3 and 3) connected by a link I62 to an extension I56 of the pivoted blade I54 (Fig. 3). Collar I60 carries a downwardly extending actuating pin I63 (Fig. 3) adapted to slide in a cam slot I64 in a horizontal cam plate I65 secured to the stationary tubev I33. As shown in Fig. 2, cam slot I64 has a bend at a place such that shortly after the begins to move from its full-line position of Fig. 2, the pin I63, collar I60, pin |6I and link I62 are actuated to close the movable blade. Thus, the thread extending to the thread guide eye 68 is clamped between blades I5I and I54 (Fig. 3 and the thread formerly extending to the bobbin is cut off by cutting edges I55 and I58. The thread clamped between blades I5I of the wound bobbin and before reaching the broken-line position of Fig. 2. As a result, the bill is rotated about the inclined axis of the plunger I3I to the position of Fig. 4 wherein the clamped thread extends to the opposite side of the center 30 from the thread guide eye 68. With the clamped thread thus extending across the center 30, the winding unit reaches the bobbinholding fingers I05, I of Fig. 1, the lever 34 passes ofi the end of the stationary abutment 36, and the outer center 3I closes upon a fresh empty bobbin, forcing it into the center 30 and gripping the thread. The plunger-s I30 and I3l quickly return to their full line positions, and at the beginning of this return movement, th end of the thread is pulled out from the bill. Upon passing this apparatus, th winding unit is automatically started to winding, as, for example, by means similar to what is described in said Reissue .patent or said applications.

Any suitable means may be employed for actuating the plungers I30 and I3I in the manner described above each time a winding unit reaches these plungers. A preferred form of actuating means includes a horizontal pin I80 (Fig. 1) on the rear of each traveling winding unit, a lever I8I adapted to be swung by each passing pin, a shaft I82 turned by the lever I8I, a lever I 83, a wire rope I84 connected at one end to the lever I83, and passing around pulleys I85, I86, I81, and

' a cross-bar I89 (Fig. 2) connected to the other end of rope I84 and suitably connected to the reciprocable plunger I30 and to the reciprocable and rotatable plunger I3I, Suitable means is provided for restoring the parts to the full line position of Fig. 2, for example a counterweight I90 connected to a wire rope-I9I which passes over a pulley I92 and is connected to cross-bar I89.

'In describing the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11 the description of parts already described will in general not be repeated, numerous of the respectively corresponding parts being designated by the same or similar reference characters in the several forms of the invention.

In connection with the device of Figs. 8 to 11, the winding-stopping and starting mechanism, previously briefly mentioned in connection with the device of Figs. 1 to 4, will be described in more detail. Stopping and starting of the winding on each unit is accomplished by a. suitable electric switch mechanism which, for example, may be similar to that shown in Fig. 17 of said applica-- tion Serial No. 386,136, which stops the winding by allowing the brushes to rise out of contact with the stationary conductor rails, and starts the winding by pressing the brushes down into contact with the conductor rails after the unit has passed the bobbin-supplying mechanism.

The brushes thus move with a crank shaft 250 of the switch mechanism, this shaft having an arm 25I on the outer side of the head portion of the winding unit (Fig. 11), and being urged in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 11 by a coil spring l-il (Fig. 10). Th brushes are permitted to rise out of contact with the conductor rails when the crank shaft 2-50 and arm 25I are allowed to turn counterclockwise to the position of arm 25I shown in Fig. 11. A boss 462 on the switch mechanism of the unit (Fig. "10) is adapted to be engaged by a stationary abutment such as a stationary roller (not shown) to restore the brushes into contact with the conductor rails to start the winding. As the brushes are restored into contact with the conductor rails and Winding thereby started, the crank shaft 250 and arm 25I are thereby turned clockwise in Fig. 11. Rod 85 (referred to previously in connection with Figs. 5 and 6) carries alatch member 253 of which a notch .254 is adapted to receive and hold a projection 255 at the top of arm 25I, thus latching the arm 2-5I in an upright position, and holding the switch mechanism closed.

When the latch 253 is raised as shown. in Fig. 11, arm 25I is free to move counterclockwise to its position there shown and the switch mechanism thereby allowed to open to stop winding. Latch 253 may be raised to the position shown in Fig. 11 in either of two ways. The thread guide assembly may reach the projection 86 on rod and the cam surface 62 (Fig. 6) tilt th rojection 86, thereby turning the rod 85 and raising the latch.

The thread detector 8, pivotally mounted in a bracket 260 is provided with a crank arm 262 extending rearwardly under a downturned portion 253 of latch 253. Thread detector 8 is normally held up as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 by the tension of the thread. However, when the. thread breaks or exhausts, detector 8 can drop raising its rearwardly extending crank arm 262, and accordingly raising the latch .253. When the switch mechanism closes in starting winding, the tension of the thread returns the thread detector to a position in which the latch 253 can again hold the arm 25I, and thus hold the switch mechanism closed.

In the device of Figs. 8 to 1.1, the ratchet bar I8, which cooperates with the thread guide assembly to advance the thread guide assembly progressively, is removed from its normal position upon the completion of the conical layers of winding, for the purpose of permitting the thread guide assembly to be moved backwardly over the full-diameter portion of the wound bobbin which is still held in winding position. It will be observed that, during winding of the conical layers of thread, the ratchet bar 18 restrains the thread guide assembly, including its feeler, against movement from the zone of the last conical layer of wound yarn toward the base of the bobbin. Means for disabling the ratchet bar from so restraining the thread guide assembly and feeler will now be described. The ratchet bar 18, instead of being in fixed relation to the supporting bar 12, as for instance in Figs. 2 and 6, is mounted as shown in Fig. 11 on a plate 18 hinged at 18* to the bar 12. A lever 300 on shaft 250 and a link 30I connect the ratchet bar I8 to the shaft 250 of the winding-stopping and starting mechanism so that when windingis stopped the ratchet bar is lowered out of the path of the tooth I5 of the feeler member of the thread guide assembly, as shown in Fig. 11. When winding begins, the ratchet bar 18 resumes its active position, similar to that shown in Fig. 6.

A stationary cam 3 I0 (Fig. 9) is provided above the winding units in position to engage the upstanding roller 8I of the thread guide assembly and plow the thread guide assembly from its outermost position adjacent to the last conical layer of wound thread over to its rearmost position adjacent to the base end of the bobbin, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

It will be noticed that the feeler 75 of each winding unit is adapted to move outwardly away from the axis of the woundbobbin to at least the largest diameter of the body of thread wound on the bobbin, so that the feeler and the thread guide assembly can be moved to the region of the base of the bobbin while the wound bobbin is held by the centers 30 and 3| preparatory to replacement of the bobbin by the winding unit tending mechanism. Simultaneously with this movement ly rotated sothat the thread from. the thread guide is wound on the bobbin inthe form of an open spiral, as also shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The means for causing this slow rotationjof the bobbin preferably comprises a smooth pulley 3l2 n the inner end of the motor shaft 313 that rotates the hollow center 35, and a stationary friction surface.

consisting of a strip of cork or the like 315, disposed along the path of travel units.

With the thread guide assembly positioned as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, thethread extending from the eye 68 of the thread guide to the spiral on the bobbin is brought into the open blades of a cutting and clamping bill I50. Bill I51] is similar to bill I50 of Figs. 1 to 4 but has its blades shaped so that in closing its pivoted blade 154 swings, clockwise instead of counterclockwise. Bill I50 is carried by the inner end of a rod 320 which is fastened into an arm 32l mounted on a shaft 322 which is reciprocable and rotatable in a sleeve [33 An extension I56 of the intermediate pivoted blade I54 of the bill is connected to a link I62. Link IE2 is slidably mounted in an arm 326 which extends from a collar-321 on the shaft 322. Link I62, which is slidable toward the left with respect to arm 325, is yieldingly urged to the right with respect to this arm 326 by a spring 328, which acts against a collar 329 on the link, and an enlargement 330 on link I62 prevents the link from leaving the arm 326 (Fig. 9). The collar 321 carrying the arm 326 is yieldingly urged to the left away from arm 32l by a spring 340. In the inactive position of these parts, shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the positions of the rods 32!] and link I62 are so related to each other that the pivoted blade I5 1 of the bill I50 is open for the reception of the thread extending from the thread guide to the bobbin. 1

A preferred mechanism for actuating the bill of the winding I51! includes a plate 350 pivoted at 35l on a;

bracket 352 on a stationary part of the machine, the plate carrying on its lower face a, downwardly extending cam element 353. A pin 355 extending upwardly from each winding unit is adapted to engage the cam element 353 and swing it and the plate 350 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 9). This motion of the plate 350 is transmitted to the shaft 322'by a rod 360, and an arm 36! which works in a grooved collar 362 on the shaft 322. Thus, the shaft 322, rod 320 and bill l5!) are moved to the right, the final position of the bill being shown in broken lines in Fig. 10.

In the first part of this motion, as the arm 32! separates further from the collar 321, the relative positions of the rod 320 and link 52 are displaced so as toclose the pivoted blade I54 upon the other blades of the bill, as shown in .Figs. and 10 clamping'and cutting the thread in the full line position of Fig. 11.

With the thread thus cut and clamped, the winding unit encounters the bobbin-dofiing cam 36. the center 3! is retracted, and the bobbin is discharged from .the centers Wand 3| as above described. r

The shaft 322 (Fig. 9) carries a pin I'll! working in a cam slot I'll in the stationary sleeve I33. Cam slot I'll a is so shaped that in the initial movement of shaft 322 the shaft merely re-' ciprocates andin the later stages of its movement,

the shaft also rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 11. By these motions of the shaft 222, the bill is carried to the broken line positions of FigsllO and 11 adjacentto the plane of the outer edge of the center 30 and on the opposite side of the center from the thread guide eye 38 which then occupies the broken line position of Fig. 11. l.

With the thread thus. held across the center 30, a fresh bobbin is received and clamped between the centers, then the end of the thread is pulled out from the bill and winding is started again-on the winding unit. The bill I50 and its associated parts are restored to the position shown in Fig. 9 and in full lines in Fig. 10 by any suitable restoring means such, for example, as the counterweight I90 of Fig. 2. i I

A further patent application of Edward J. Abbott and Winthrop L. Perry, for Winding machine, filed on the same date as'this application, Serial No. 560,737, shows certain features of this invention applied to winding machines having a modified form of thread guide assembly and modified mechanisms for winding the open spiral of thread on the exterior of the bobbin.

We claim:

1. In an automatic winding machine the combination of means including a center for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, elements adapted to clamp the thread between them, means for causing said elements to clamp the thread, and means effective after clamping the thread for moving said. elements and the thread clamped between them from one side of said center to another generally opposite side of said center.

2. In an automatic winding machine the combination of means including a center for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, elements adapted to clamp the thread between them, means for causing said elements to clamp the thread, and means effective after clamping the thread for moving said elements and the thread clamped between them longitudinally of the axis of winding,

3. In an automatic winding machine the com-. bination of means including a center for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, elements adapted to clamp the thread between them, means for causing said elements to clamp the thread, and means effective after clamping the thread for moving .said elements and the thread clamped between for discharging the bobbin from said center, a'

threadguide for distributing athread on the winding bobbin, a combined clam and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread and out the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means effective after such clamping of the thread for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the axis of winding, to

carry the thread across said center.

5. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin,

said holding means including a center for thebase of the bobbin, the machine including means for discharging the bobbin from said center, a thread guide for distributing a threadon the windingbobbin, a combined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread and cut the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the

generally opposite side of said center.

6. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a, rotatable winding bobbin,

, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, the machine including means for discharging the bobbin from said center, a thread guide for distributing a thread on the winding bobbin, acombined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread and cutthe thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means effective after such clamping and cutting or the thread for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the axis of winding.

7. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin,

said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, the machine including means for discharging the bobbin from said center, a thread guide for distributing a thread on the winding bobbin, a combined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread and cut the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the

T2 and means efiective after clamping 'the'thread for moving said elements and the thread clamped between them longitudinally of the axis of wind- D ing and from the side of said center on which machine including means for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the axis of winding and from one side of said center to another generally opposite side of said center.

8. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive ad- .vance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, elements adapted to clamp the thread between them, means for operating said elements to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bobbin and the thread guide, and means effective after clamping the thread for moving said elements and the thread clamped between them from the side of said center on which the path of the thread guide is located to another generally opposite side of said center.

9. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin,

said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conicallayers, elements adapted to clamp the thread between them, means for operating said elements to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bobbin and the thread guide, and means effective after clamping the thread for moving said elements and the thread clamped between them longitudinally of the axis of winding.

10. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holdin means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for the path of the thread guide is located to another generally opposite side of said center.

11. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter comprising "clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bobbin and the thread guide and cut the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means effective after such clamping of the thread for moving said clamping and cuttin elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the axis of winding, to carry the thread across said center.

12. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide,means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bob bin and the thread guide and cut the thread betweenthe clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby from the side of said center on which the path of the thread guide is located to another generally opposite side of said center.

13. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holding means including a.center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bobbin and the thread guide and cut the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means eifective after such clamping and cutting of the thread for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the aXis of winding.

1 4.tAn automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a, progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter comprising clamping and cutting elements adapted to clamp the thread at a place between the wound bobbin and the thread guide and cut the thread between the clamped portion and the bobbin, the machine including means for moving said clamping and cutting elements and the thread clamped thereby longitudinally of the axis of winding and from the side of said center on which the path of the thread guide is located to another generally opposite side of said center. 15. A multiple unit automatic winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units each including a thread guide and bobbin holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, each unit being adapted to discharge its bobbin from said center, and the machine including a clamp operative with respect to the threads of the winding units in succession to clamp the thread extending between the bobbin and thread guide, said clamp being movable to position the thread for engagement between the center and a fresh bobbin.

16. A multiple unit automatic winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units each including a thread guide and bobbin holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, each unit being adapted to discharge its bobbin from said center, and the machine including a clamp operative with respectto the threads of the winding units in succession to clamp the thread ex-. tending between the bobbin and thread guide, said clamp being movable, after discharge of the bobbin from its center, to position the thread for engagement between the center and a fresh bobbin.

17. A multiple unit automatic winding machine comprising a plurality of winding units each including a thread guide and bobbin holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin,- each unit being adapted to discharge its bobbin from said center, and the machine including a clamp operative with respect to the threads of the wind- 3 ing units in succession to clamp the thread extending between the bobbin and thread guide and carry the thread longitudinally and transversely of the axis of winding to a position adjacent to said center and onthe opposite side thereof from the path of the thread guide 18. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units adapted to travel in a procession, a winding unit tending mechanism past which said units travel, each winding unit including a center for 'holding the base of the winding bobbin, the, tending mechanism includ-. ing means for supplying fresh bobbins to the centers of the passing units, and a combined clamp and cutter engageable with the threads of the passing units and movable to a position to hold the thread across the center of the winding unit at a place of reception of a fresh bobbin by the unit.

19. A multiple unit wmdingmachine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanism into cooperative relation to the winding units successively, the several winding units each including a center for holding a winding bobbin in winding position, and the tending mechanism'including a clamp adapted to clamp the thread of each winding unit successively, and means operative by said relative movement to move said clamp to a position adjacent to the said center of the winding unit.

20'. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanism into cooperative relation to the winding units successively, the several winding units each including a centor for holdings. winding bobbin in winding position, and the tending mechanism including a combined clamp and cutter adapted to clamp and cut the thread of each winding unit successively, and means operative by said relative movement to move said combined clamp and cutter to a position adjacent to the said center of the wind:

ingzunit. 7

21. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units adapted to travel in a procession, a non-traveling winding unit tending mechanism past which the winding units travel, the several winding units each including a center for holding a winding bobbin in winding position, and the tending mechanism including a clamp adapted to clamp the thread of each winding unit successively, and means operative by the traveling movement of the winding units to move said clamp to a position adjacent to the said center of the winding unit.

22. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units adapted .to travel in a procession, a non-traveling winding unit tending mechanism past which the winding units travel, the several winding units each including a center for holding a winding bobbin in winding position, and the tending mechanism including a combined clamp and cutter adapted to clamp and cut the thread of each winding unit successively, and means operative by the traveling movement of the winding units to move said combined clamp and cutter toa position adjacent to the said center of the winding unit.

23. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative traveling movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism, the tending mechanism including a thread positioning member having a move-, ment of reciprocation in a path diagonal to the path of said relative movement, so as to move longitudinally of the axis of winding. 24.v A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and windingunit tending mechanism, with relative traveling movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism, the tending mechani'smincluding a thread clamp having a movement of reciprocation in a path diagonal to the path of said relative movement, so as to move longitudinally of the axis of winding.

25. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative traveling movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism, the tending mechanism including a, thread clamp and cutter having a movement of reciprocation in a pathdiagonal to the path of said relative movement, so as to move longitudinally of the axis of winding.

26. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit I tending mechanism, with relative traveling movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism, each winding unit including a thread guide, and the tending mechanism including a thread guidepositioning member having a movement of reciprocation in a path diagonal to the path of said relative movement,- so as to move longitudinally of the axis of winding.

27. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, a cutting and clamping bill, means for operating the bill to cut the thread adjacent to the thread guide and hold the end of thread which extends to the thread. guide, and mean for moving the bill, carrying said cut end of thread, to a position where the thread extending to the thread guide lies across said center.

28. An automatic windingmachine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, a cutting and clamping bill, means for operating the bill to cut the thread adjacent to the thread guide and hold the end of thread which extends to the thread guide, and a carrier for the bill having a motion parallel to the axis of winding to carry the held end of thread to said center and a rotary motion to carry the held end of thread to the opposite side of the center from the thread guide.

29. An automatic Winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as todistribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter, means for operating the clamp and cutter to cut the thread adjacent to the thread thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a thread positioning member adjacent to the tip of the bobbin adapted to engage the thread extending from the thread guide to the wound thread on the bobbin, and means acting after stopping of windin to move the thread guide to a predetermined place adjacent to the tip-of the bobbin for reception of the thread by said thread positioning member.

33. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on guide while the thread guide is adjacent to the outermost conical layer of thread wound on the bobbin, means for discharging the wound. bobbin from said holding means, means for moving the thread guide toward the position to be occupied by the base of a fresh bobbin, means for moving the clamp and cutter to a position adjacent said center and on the opposite side thereof from the path of the thread guide, and means for supplying a fresh bobbin' to said holding means.

30. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tipof the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter, means for operating the clamp and cutter to cut the thread adjacent to the thread guide while the thread guide is adjacent to the outermost conical layer of thread wound on the bobbin, means for discharging the wound bobbin from said holding'means, means for moving the clamp and cutter toward said center, and means for causing the clamp and cutter to close upon the thread during such movement.

31. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a windin bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of' its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter, means for operating the clamp and cutter to cut the thread adjacent to the thread guide while the thread guide is adjacent to the outermost conical layer of thread wound on the bobbin, means for discharging the wound bobbin from said holding means, mean for moving the clamp and cutter toward said center, and

' means for rotating the clamp and cutter during such movement.

32. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a windin bobbin, said holding means including. a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined clamp and cutter adjacent to the tip of the bobbin adapted to engage the thread extending from the thread guide to the wound thread on the bobbin, and means acting after stopping of winding to move the thread guide to a predetermined place adjacent to the tip of the bobbin for reception of the thread by said clamp and cutter.

34, An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, a thread ,guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a clamp actuable to clamp the thread at a place adjacent to the base portion of wound thread on the bobbin substantially short of the base end of the bobbin, means for carrying the thread from a place adjacent to the outermost conical layer of the wound thread on the bobbin to said clamp, means for severing the thread extending from the clamp to the bobbin, means for discharging the wound bobbin from said holding means, and means for moving said clamp longitudinally of the axis of winding while said clamp is clamped upon the severed thread, thereby to carry the thread into position to be associated witha fresh bobbin.

35. An automatic winding machine comprising means for rotatably holding a winding bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse toward the tip of the bobbin so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, means acting after the winding of the last conical layer on the bobbin to move the thread guide back toward the position of Winding of the base portion of thread of the bobbin, means for rotating the bobbin during such bacln ward movement of the thread guide, thereby to wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the exterior of the bobbin, a clamp positioned to receive the run of thread extending from the thread guide to said spiral on the bobbin substantially short of the base end of the bobbin, means for severing the thread extending from the clamp to the bobbin, means for discharging the wound bobbin from said holding means, and means for moving said clamp longitudinally of the axis of winding while said clamp is clamped upon the severed thread, thereby to carry the Y 17 the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined ,clamp and cutter adaptedto' engage the thread leading to the wound bobbin at a place adjacent to the .base portion of wound thread onfthebobbin substantially short of the base end of the bobbin and to cut the thread extending from the combined clamp and cutter to the bobbin, means for carrying the thread from a place adjacent to the outermost conical layer of the wound thread on the bobbin to said combined clamp and cutter adjacent to the said base portion or woundthread, means for discharging the bobbin from said center, and means for moving said combined clamp and cutter longitudinally of the axis of winding while said combinedclamp and cutter is clamped upon the cut thread, thereby to carry the thread to a position adjacent to said center..

3'1. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said hold- .bined clamp and cutter to the bobbin, means for.

moving the thread guide from a position adjacent to the outermost conical layer of the wound thread on the bobbin to carry the thread to said clamp adjacent to the said base portion of wound thread, means for discharging the-bobbin from said center, and means for moving said combined clamp and cutter longitudinally of the axis of winding while said combined clamp and cutter is clamped. upon the cut thread, thereby to carry the thread to a position adjacent to said center.

38. An automatic winding machine comprising means .for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base of the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance ofits zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a clamp adapted to engage the thread leading to the wound bobbin at a place adjacent to the base portion of wound thread on the'bobbin substantially short of the baseend of the bobbin, means for carrying the thread from a place adjacent to the outermost conical layer of the wound thread on the bobbin to said clampadjacent to the said base portion of wound thread, means for rotating the i it 60 *bobbln durmg such Cally-ing of the thread'to a plurality of winding units and winding unit wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the wound bobbin, means for cutting the thread extending from the clamp to the bobbin, means tor discharging the bobbin from said center, and means for moving the clamp longitudinally of the axis of winding while said clamp is clamped upon the cut thread, thereby to carry the thread to a position adj acent to said center.

39. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a winding bobbin, said holding means including a center for the base oi the bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting, to the thread guide a progressive advance of its of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a clamp adapted to engage the thread leading to the wound bobbin at a place adjacent to the base 5 portion of wound thread on th bobbin substantiaily short of the base end of the bobbin, means for moving the thread guide from a position adjace'nt to the outermost conical layer of the wound thread on the bobbin to carry the thread to said clamp adjacent to the said base portion of wound thread, means for rotating the bobbin during such carrying of the thread to wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the wound bobbin, means for cutting the thread extending from the clamp to the bobbin, means'for discharging the bobbin from said center, and

' means for moving the clamp longitudinally of the axis of winding while said clamp is clamped upon the cut thread, thereby to carrythe thread to a position adjacent to said center.

40. A multiple unit winding machine including a pluralityof winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanism into cooperative relation to the winding units successively, the several winding units each including a center for rotating the bobbin during winding, a

thread guide, and means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, the tending mechanism including means for leading the thread ex- 85 tending to the wound bobbin back toward the base of the bobbin, and the machine including means for rotating the said center of the winding unit during such leading oi the thread to rotate the bobbin and wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the exterior of the bobbin.

41. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units adapted to travel in a procession, a non-traveling winding unit tending mechanism past which the windin units travel, the several winding units each including a center for rotating the bobbin during winding, 9, threadguide, and means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, the tending mechanism including means for leading the threads extending to the bobbins of the successive traveling units back toward the base of its bobbin, and

5 the machine including means for rotating the said centers of the traveling units during such leading of the thread, to rotate the bobbins and wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the exterior of the bob-bin. i

42. A multiple unit winding machine including tending mechanism, with relative movement between the winding units and the tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanism into coope5 erative relation to the winding units successively,

the several winding units each including a center for rotating the bobbin during winding, a

thread guide, and means for imparting to the thread guide a progressiv advance of its zone of 7 traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the zone of traverse along the bobbin toward thetip the machine including means for rotating the l9 said center of the winding unit during such back movement of its thread guide, to wind the thread in the form of an open spiral-on the exterior of the bobbin.

43. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative movement be,-

tween the winding units and the tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanisminto cooperative relation to the winding units successively, the several winding units each including a center for rotating the bobbin during winding, a thread guide, and means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, the tending mechanism including means for leading the thread extending to the wound bobbin back toward the base of the bobbin, the tending mechanism in cluding a friction element, and the several winding units including rotatable means engageable with and rotatable by said friction element for rotating the center of the winding unit during such leading of the thread to rotate Cthe bobbins and wind the thread in the form of an open spiral on the exterior of the bobbin.

44. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units and winding unit tending mechanism, with relative movement between the winding units and th tending mechanism to bring the tending mechanism into cooperative relation to the winding units successively, the several winding units each including a center for rotating the bobbin during winding, a shaft for rotating the center and a motor connected to drive the said shaft, a thread guide, and means for imparting to the thread guide a progressive advance of its zone of traverse along the bobbin toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, the tending mechanism including means for leading the thread extending to the wound bobbin back toward the base of'the bobbin, the tending mechanism including a friction element, and the several winding units each including a wheel on said shaft and adapted to engage said friction element to rotate said center of the unit.

45. An automatic winding machine including means for holding a rotating bobbin, a reciprocable traverse rod, a thread guide movable by the traverse rod, means for progressively advancing the thread guide along the traverse rod toward e t p of the bobbin, o as to distribute the thread .on the bobbin in nested conical layers, said advancing means including a bobbin-feeler mechanism movable with the thread guide and an abutment not partaking of such advance of the thread guide and adapted to be engaged by the feeler mechanism to advance the feeler mechanism and thread guide along the traverse rod, means for moving said abutment out of position to engage the feeler mechanism, and means operating after such movement of the abutment to move the thread guide and feeler mechanism from a position adjacent to the outermost conical layer of the bobbin toward the base of the bobbin.

46. An automatic winding machine including means for holding a rotating bobbin, a reciprocable traverse rod, 'a thread guide movable by the traverse rod, means for progressively advancing the thread guide along the traverse rod toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute 20 the thread on the bobbin in-nested conical layera-said advancing means including a bobbinfeeler'mechanism movable with the thread guide, the bobbin-feeler mechanism including a pawl portion, and a ratchet bar not partaking of such advance of the thread guide and adapted'to be engaged by the pawl portion of the feeler mechanism to advance the feeler mechanism and thread guide along the traverse rod, means for moving th ratchet bar out of position to engage said pawl portion, and means operating after such movement of the ratchet bar to move the thread guideand feeler mechanism from a position adjacent to the outermost conical layer on the bobbin toward the base .of the bobbin.

47. An automatic winding machine including means for rotating a winding bobbin, a reciprocable traverse rod. a thread guide device having frictional engagement with the traverse rod, an abutment engageable with the thread guide device to limit the movement of the thread guide device toward the base of the bobbin and thereby advance the thread guide device along the traverse rod, means for moving said abutment out of position to engage the thread guide device, and means operating after such movement of the abutment to move the thread guide device toward the base of the bobbin.

48. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding'a rotatable winding bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a stroke of traverse of less length than the finished mass of wound thread on the bobbin, means for causing a progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse during winding the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a thread positioning member adapted to engage the run of thread extending from the thread guide to the mass of wound thread on the bobbin when the wound bobbin is held in winding position by said holding means, means acting after completion of said progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse to move the thread guide to a predetermined place to bring said run of thread into position to be engaged by said thread positioning member, and means for subsequently discharging the wound bobbin from said holding means.

49. An automatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable Winding bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread guide a strokeof traverse of less length than the finished mass of Wound thread on the bobbin, means for causing a progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse during winding the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a thread clamp adapted to engage the run of thread extending from the thread guide to the mass of wound thread on the bobbin when the wound bobbin is held in Winding position by said holding means, means acting after completion of said progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse to move the thread guide to a predetermined place to bring said run of thread into position to be engaged by said thread clamp, means for causing said clamp to clamp the thread while the wound bobbin is held in winding position by said holding means, means for discharging the Wound bobbin from said holding means, and means for moving said thread clamp to carry said run of thread into position to be associated with a fresh bobbin.

50. Anautomatic winding machine comprising means for holding a rotatable winding bobbin, a thread guide, means for imparting to the thread 2i 7 guide a stroke of traverse of less length than the finished mass of wound thread on the bobbin, means for causing a progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse during winding the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, a combined,clamp and cutter adapted to engage the run of thread extending from the thread guide to the mass of wound thread on the bobbin when the wound bobbin is held in winding position by said holding means,

means acting after completion of said progressive shifting of the stroke of traverse to move the thread guide to a predetermined place to bring said run of thread into position to be engaged by the bobbin holding means of the several winding units in succession, a thread clamp acting on the threads of the several winding units in succession and movable to carry the thread into position to be associated with the fresh bobbin, and means acting on the thread guidesof the several winding units in succession to carry the thread guide to a predetermined place for engagement of the thread by said thread clamp. 52. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a thread positioning member, comprising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon each other to clamp and cut said thread, means for moving said thread positioning member through a path such as to carry said clamped and cut thread into position for association with a bobbin to be Wound, and means whereby the initial portionof such movement of said thread positioning member closes said elements so as to clamp and cut the thread.

53. In an automatic winding machine the combination ofa thread positioning member, comprising fixed blades and amovable blade adapted to cooperate therewith to clamp and cut a thread, means for moving said threadpositioning member through a path such as to carry said clamped and cut thread into position for association with a bobbin to be Wound, and means for closing said movable blade upon the other blades during the initial portion of such movement of the thread positioning member.

54. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a thread positioning member, comprising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon each other to clamp and out said thread, ,means for moving said thread positioning member through a path such as to carry said thread into position for association with a bobbin to be wound, and, cam and cam-follower mechanism arranged to close said elements upon each other during the initial portion of such movement of the thread positioning member.

55. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a thread positioning member, comprising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon each other to clamp and out said thread, means for moving said thread positioning member through a path such asto carry said thread into position for association with a bobbin to be wound, and a connection between one of said elements anda relatively stationary part of the machine adapted to move said element toits closedposition during the initial portion of such movement of the thread positioning member. v

v 56. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a thread positioning member, comprising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon each other to clamp and cut said thread, me'ansfor moving said thread positioning member in a direction generally parallel to the axis of winding, and means swinging said thread positioning member through a path transverse to the axis of winding.

57. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a threadpositioning vmember, comprising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon each other to clamp and out said thread, means for moving said thread positioning member a direction generally parallel to the axis of winding, and means responsive to such movement of the thread positioning member for swinging said thread positioning member through a path'transverse to the axis of winding.

58. In an automatic winding machine the combination of a thread positioning member, com-- prising elements adapted to receive a thread therebetween and close upon'each other to clamp and out said thread, means for moving said thread positioning inemberjina direction generally parallel to the axis of'winding, and a cam and cam.-

follcwer mechanism effective during such movement for swinging said thread positioning member through a path transverse I. to the axis of winding. I

59. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of thread winding units each adapted to carry a supply ofthread to be wound and means for rotatably holding a bobbin in winding position to receive thread from said supply, .winding unit tending mechanism associated with theseveral winding units successively and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, the machine including means for V holding the threads of the winding units clamped during the removal of, the wound bobbin from the bobbin-holding means and during the placing of a fresh bobbin in said bobbin-holding means. 60. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of thread winding units each adapted to carry a supply of thread to be wound and means, for rotatably holding a bobbin in winding position to receive thread from said supply, winding unit tending mechanism associated with the several winding units successively and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, the machine including a clamp adapted to engage the thread of the winding unit being tended by said tending mechanism, and means actuating the clamp to hold said thread clamped during the removal of the wound bobbin from the bobbin-holding means and during the placing of a fresh bobbin in said bobbinholding means.

61. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of thread winding units each adapted to carry a supply of thread to be wound and means for rotatably holding a bobbin in winding position to receive thread from said supply, winding unit tending mechanism associated with the several winding units successivelyand adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a'winding unit with a fresh bobbin, the machine includin a combined clamp and cutter adapted to engage the thread of the winding unit being tended by said tending mechanism, and means actuating the clamp and cutter to sever the thread, and to hold the end of thread attached to the supply clamped during the removal ofthe wound bobbin from the bobbin-holding means and during the placing of a fresh bobbin in said bobbin-holding means.

62. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units each including means for rotatably holding a winding bobbin, a thread guide, and means for progressively advancing the zone of, traverse of the thread guide along the bobbin away from the base and toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers,

- winding unit tending mechanism associated with the winding units successi ely and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, and the machine including means for shifting the thread guides of th several units from adjacent to the conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin to the region of the base of the bobbin while said bobbin is held by said holding means preparatory to replacement of said bobbin by said tending mechariism.

63. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units each including means for rotatably holding a winding bobbin, a thread guide, and means for progressively advancing the zone of traverse of the thread guide along the bobbin away from the base and toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers, said zone-advancing means including a feeler adapted to cooperate with the progressively advancing conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin, winding unit tending mechanism associated with the winding units successively and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, and the machine including means for shifting the feelers and thread guides of the several units from adjacent to the conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin to the region of the base of the bobbin while said bobbin is held by said holding means preparatory to replacement of said bobbin by said tending mechanism.

64. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units each including means for rotatably holding a winding bobbin, a thread guide, and means for progressively advancing the zone of traverse of the thread guide along the bobbin away from the base and toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers,

said zone-advancing means including a feeler adapted to cooperate with the progressively advancing conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin, Winding unit tending mechanism associated with the winding units successively and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, and the machine 65. A multiple unit winding machine including a plurality of winding units each including means for rotatably holding a winding bobbin,

a thread guide, and means for progressively advancing the zone of traverse of the thread guide along the bobbin away from the base and toward the tip of the bobbin, so as to distribute the thread on the bobbin in nested conical layers,'

said zone-advancing means including a feeler adapted to cooperate with the progressively advancing conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin, and including means normally restraining said feeler against movement from the zone of the last conical layer of wound yarn toward the base of the bobbin, winding unit tending mechanism associated with the winding units successively and adapted to replace a wound bobbin of a winding unit with a fresh bobbin, and the machine including means for disabling said means which restrain the feelers of the several winding units, and means for shifting the thread guidesof the several units from adjacent to the conical nose of the body of thread on the bobbin to the region of the base of the bobbin while said bobbin is held by said holding means preparatory to replacement of said bobbin by said tending mechanism.

EDWARD J. ABBOTT. WINTHROP L. PERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nuinber Name Date 2,361,813 Beckman Oct. 31, 1944 2,247,718 Treckmann July 1, 1941 2,306,268 Kimpton Dec. 22, 1942 2,234,355 Reiners et al Mar. 11, 1941 2,302,715 ,Reynolds et a1 Nov. 24, 1942 Hooper Dec. 15, 1914 

